Introduction to the Scientific Method What habitat …

1 BEST Experiment Updated September 26, 2011 Introduction to the Scientific Method Introduction to the Scientific Method What habitat at your school has the highest insect biodiversity? Overview This lesson serves as a good Introduction to the Scientific Method , or as a review to start off the school year. Students will develop their own hypotheses and experimental design, as well as analyze data as a class in order to draw conclusions. The lesson covers all the steps of the Scientific Method and allows students to think like scientists and answer the question In what habitat do we find the highest insect diversity? Unlike many classroom experiments where teachers have an idea of the correct results, in this lesson each student or class might come up with his or her own design and all data is meaningful.

2 Objectives At the conclusion of the lesson, students will be able to: Describe the steps of the Scientific Method Understand how scientists use the Scientific Method State a hypothesis and how it differs from a question or prediction Design an experiment to test their hypothesis Collect data and organize into a table and graph Draw conclusions from data and support claims with evidence Define biodiversity and its two components Classify common insects to Order Length of Lesson This lesson will require 3 class periods of an hour each. Class 1 and 2 must occur one week apart. Class 1: Students will review the Scientific Method as the teacher presents a PowerPoint.

3 Students will develop a hypothesis and experimental design, and place sticky traps around their school. Class 2: The class will collect the sticky traps, count and classify the insects, and pool the classroom data for all habitats. Class 3: Graph data, and make conclusions. Grade Levels This lesson is appropriate for middle and high school classes. It can be done at the beginning of the school year to introduce or review the Scientific Method . Standards covered Scientific Inquiry Science is a way of understanding nature. Scientific research may begin by generating new Scientific questions that can be answered through replicable Scientific investigations that are logically developed and conducted systematically.

4 Scientific conclusions and explanations result BEST Experiment Updated September 26, 2011 Introduction to the Scientific Method from careful analysis of empirical evidence and the use of logical reasoning. Some questions in science are addressed through indirect rather than direct observation, evaluating the consistency of new evidence with results predicted by models of natural processes. Results from investigations are communicated in reports that are scrutinized through a peer review process. Generate new questions that can be investigated in the laboratory or field. Evaluate the uncertainties or validity of Scientific conclusions using an understanding of sources of measurement error, the challenges of controlling variables, accuracy of data analysis, logic of argument, logic of experimental design, and/or the dependence on underlying assumptions.

5 Conduct Scientific investigations using appropriate tools and techniques ( , selecting an instrument that measures the desired quantity length, volume, weight, time interval, temperature with the appropriate level of precision). Identify patterns in data and relate them to theoretical models. Describe a reason for a given conclusion using evidence from an investigation. Predict what would happen if the variables, methods , or timing of an investigation were changed. Use empirical evidence to explain and critique the reasoning used to draw a Scientific conclusion or explanation. Design and conduct a systematic Scientific investigation that tests a hypothesis.

6 Draw conclusions from data presented in charts or tables. Distinguish between Scientific explanations that are regarded as current Scientific consensus and the emerging questions that active researchers investigate. Materials Introduction to the Scientific Method PowerPoint (included) Invertebrate Guide PowerPoint (included) and field ID books Worksheets (included) Graph paper Sticky Traps 1-meter high stakes Plastic wrap or large Ziplocs Labels for the plastic bags (sharpies and masking tape) Camera to photograph unknown invertebrates School habitats (grassy lawn, BEST Bioenergy Plots, woods, ) Randomization Procedure (found in BEST Binders or on the website) Background Insects and other invertebrates are essential for any healthy ecosystem.

7 Invertebrates aerate the soil, eat plant pests, pollinate flowers, and provide food for other organisms such as birds and small mammals. Ecosystems with high invertebrate diversity may be more stable over time and able to support a greater diversity of plants and animals. High diversity in an ecosystem can also affect ecosystem services. Ecosystem services are resources and processes generated by ecosystems that benefit humans. For example, food, water, energy, air quality, water purification, disease control, nutrient cycling, seed dispersal, and recreation are all ecosystem services. BEST Experiment Updated September 26, 2011 Introduction to the Scientific Method Activities of the session Class 1: 1.

8 Go through the PowerPoint to introduce the steps of the Scientific Method (15 minutes). 2. Present the question that the students will be addressing: In what habitat do we find the highest insect diversity? and show the slide to reveal what materials they ll have for their experiment. 3. In small groups, have students develop their own hypotheses that they want to test, predictions about what they ll see, and what experimental designs they would need to accomplish this (7 minutes). i. Two choices for how to structure your prediction and hypothesis: I predict that habitat 1 will have higher insect diversity than habitat 2 because (description of what is different about that habitat ).

9 The first part of this statement is the prediction what are the students expected results? The second part is the hypothesis the mechanism that students think is behind this pattern. In this case, what determines insect abundance? Why do you think a particular habitat will have higher insect diversity? If feature of a habitat drives insect diversity, then we will measure the highest insect diversity in habitat 1. The first part in this case is the hypothesis what is it about a habitat that drives higher insect diversity? The second part is the prediction choose the habitat that has the most of the factor in your hypothesis. For example, students might predict the wetland will have the highest diversity because they hypothesize that insects are attracted to water.

10 Ii. For the experimental design, have students choose the habitats around the school that they would want to use to address their hypothesis. 4. Have the class share their hypotheses and experimental designs. 5. Decide as a class 2 habitats to place the sticky traps in (7 minutes). 6. Go outside to place the sticky traps (30 minutes) i. Place 1 meter stake into the ground ii. Pull apart the two sticky traps, exposing the sticky side iii. Fold over one sticky trap, and fold around the post iv. Push the arrows through the holes to secure the stick trap to the pole, and make sure the trap goes into one of the grips along the pole v. Make sure not to touch the sticky side of the traps!